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Generally, I will run pre-starter (28-31% Protein) until 3.5/4 weeks of age in a fine crumble, the regular starter (26-28% Protein) until 6 weeks of age as a regular crumble, and then a mini pellet at 19% when I move them out at that age. Possibly a small amount of regular starter in the feeders to help with the transition outside. Then a 14% Protein in a regular pellet once they are fully mature (hardened tails). It often varies from farm to farm. As always-- "read" your birds to help determine what's best. When I use higher protein, of course I get bigger, fuller breasted birds. I can't really say I have found a significant value from the tails by giving higher proteins. Possibly a small difference.

I couldn't tell you from firsthand experience if more protein directly relates to a larger breasted bird. I can only say that the birds I have raised in the past with more protein than the status quo have been, according to customers, larger than most on the market. Maybe I'm feeding them more. Maybe conditions other than feed have helped me out in that aspect. Maybe it is just the breed of bird that makes the most size difference. Maybe the protein makes a difference.

I'm lowering the protein intake at the start a small amount for the first time in what I understand is 26 years because the cost to raise birds now has pretty much dictated everyone do so. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a starter protein in the high twenties. In fact, too big can be bad--fat birds don't want to fly. But that is most commonly associated with too much fat than protein. In the four weeks of chicks I've gone through so far, I can't tell any difference.